Decorative skin for a filing cabinet drawer

ABSTRACT

Planar sheets or “skins” are attachable to the outwardly facing vertical surfaces of filing cabinet drawers. These skins may fully or partially cover the outwardly facing surface of the filing cabinet drawers. Also, the skins may be textured or smooth, and they may be colored in one or more different colors. Further, the skins may have one or more design features that are visible in the workplace. These design features may include, but are not limited to, patterns, graphics, pictures, photos, drawings, icons, paintings, illustrations, symbols, calendars, quotes, holiday specific design features, exchangeable head-torso-feet images, text, or the like. For multiple drawer filing cabinets, multiple skins may be provided where each skin includes a portion of a design feature that is visibly revealed in the workplace when they are attached to the outwardly facing surfaces of the drawers in a predetermined or random arrangement.

FIELD OF ART

The present invention relates generally to decorative coverings forfurniture and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a covering orskin for a filing cabinet drawer that may be attached to the outwardlyfacing surface of the drawer that is generally visible in the workplace.

BACKGROUND

Although computers can be found in almost every office environment,filing cabinets are just as popular, if not more so than ever. Also,there are many different kinds of filing cabinets with frames that canaccommodate vertical and/or lateral arrangements of drawers of differentdepths for storing letter and/or legal sized files. Some cabinets havewheels for easy mobility, while others are built into desks and arestationary. Also, most filing cabinets share similar features. They havea handle to open and close the drawer, a locking mechanism to secure thedrawer, a bracket for displaying a label descriptive of the drawercontents, and the drawer's vertical surface that faces the officeenvironment is often colored in a nondescript color, e.g., tan, black,or white. Also, the width and height of this vertical surface of thedrawer is relatively the same from most any manufacturer because thesedimensions are based on the standard size of a letter or a legal sizedfile.

As businesses move away from formal settings to relaxed, casualatmospheres, employees increasingly wish to decorate their workingspace. Filing cabinets, with their solid, neutral tones, have become astumbling block in the final steps of personalizing a work space.Therefore, it is with respect to these considerations and others thatthe present invention has been made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings,like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the variousfigures unless otherwise specified.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will bemade to the following Detailed Description, which is to be read inassociation with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating skins attached to the outwardly facingsurfaces of vertically arranged drawers in a filing cabinet;

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing skins attached to the outwardly facingsurfaces of laterally arranged drawers in a filing cabinet;

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a frame that is attached to theperiphery of the outwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet drawer;

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a skin attached to the outwardly facingsurface of a filing cabinet drawer;

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a skin with holes arranged along itsperiphery for attaching to the outwardly facing surface of a filingcabinet drawer;

FIG. 2D is a diagram showing a skin with straps arranged along itsperiphery for attaching to the outwardly facing surface of a filingcabinet drawer;

FIG. 2E is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional perspective of askin;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a networked client-server system; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments by which theinvention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Amongother things, the present invention may be embodied as methods ordevices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to betaken in a limiting sense.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take themeanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein doesnot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may.Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does notnecessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, asdescribed below, various embodiments of the invention may be readilycombined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or”operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive andallows for being based on additional factors not described, unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout thespecification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

Briefly stated, the invention is directed to relatively planar sheets or“skins” that are attachable to the outwardly facing vertical surfaces ofoffice furniture, e.g., filing cabinets, book shelves, storage cabinets,bank cabinets, and the like. In one embodiment, these skins may fully orpartially cover the outwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet'sdrawers. Also, the skins may be textured or smooth, and they may becolored in one or more different colors. Further, the skins may have oneor more design features that are visible in the workplace. These designfeatures may include, but are not limited to, patterns, graphics,pictures, photos, images, drawings, icons, paintings, illustrations,symbols, calendars, quotes, holiday specific design features,exchangeable head-torso-feet images, logos, advertisements, text, or thelike. For multiple drawer filing cabinets, multiple skins may beprovided where each skin includes a portion of a design feature that isvisibly revealed in the workplace when they are attached to theoutwardly facing surfaces of the drawers in a predetermined or randomarrangement.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the skins may be made of oneor more materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, paper,fiberboard, composite material, ceramic, melamine, bamboo, wood,composite material, fabric, metal, magnetic film, rubber, and the like.In at least one embodiment, the outward facing side of the skin maypartially or fully include a writeable surface that may be drawn orwritten on. Further, in at least one embodiment, this writeable surfacemay be arranged to be rewriteable, and somewhat similar to thosesurfaces found on a chalk board, a white board, and the like.

Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, a sleeve frame may be affixedin a relatively substantial manner to at least a portion of theperiphery of the outward facing surface of a filing cabinet drawer. Thesleeve frame may be sized and arranged to hold a skin disposed withinthe frame in such a position that the skin is visible in the workplaceon the outwardly facing surface of the filing cabinet drawer. The sleeveframe may be arranged so that a skin may be easily/quickly replacedwithout having to reattach the sleeve to the filing cabinet drawer.

Also, in at least one embodiment, a skin may be cut out to include aport for the drawer's handle and/or drawer lock. Also, the skin may becut out to include a port for the drawer's display bracket for labels.In different embodiments, the skin may be attached to a filing drawer'svertical and outwardly facing surface in one or more ways, including,but not limited to, magnets, adhesives, fabric hook and loop fasteners(velcro), mechanical hooks, clips, snaps, screws, nails, rivets, and thelike. Moreover, in at least one embodiment, a skin may be sized toaccommodate filing cabinet drawers that are sized to accommodate one ormore sizes of files, including, but not limited to, letter, legal, andA4.

In yet another embodiment, a user may employ a software application toprovide and arrange at least one design feature for one or more skinsfor office furniture. This software application may be provided as aclient-server service over a network, and/or a local application. Thesoftware application may enable the provided/arranged design feature tobe printed on a “blank” skin with a printer that is local or remote tothe user. Further, the blank skin is typically formed from a planarsheet of material that may be accommodated by a local printer, e.g.,paper, mylar, plastic, melamine, and the like. In yet anotherembodiment, a skin is remotely manufactured with at least one designfeature provided/arranged by a user in a size/shape selected by a userand subsequently shipped to the user at a later date.

A blank skin is typically sized to fit within a sleeve frame attached toan outwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet drawer, or sized todirectly attach to the outwardly facing surface of the drawer itself.Also, the blank skin may include indications for and/or be provided withone or more portals cut out of the skin for a drawer handle, a drawerlock, and/or a drawer display bracket. Additionally, a blank skin maynot be completely blank, e.g., the outwardly facing surface of the blankskin may also include one or more predetermined design features.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a user may be provided withone or more tools to create a new design feature or edit a providedtemplate for one or more skins. These creation and editing tools may beprovided with the software application. Also, in at least oneembodiment, manual tools may be provided for physically creating andediting design features for one or more skins, e.g., pens, pencils,markers, paints, stickers, tape, hooks, magnets, picture frames, cut-outtext, and the like.

Illustrative Embodiments

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a substantially planar view of verticallyarranged filing cabinet 100 a. A plurality of skins 106 a are shownattached to the external outwardly facing surfaces of the drawers infiling cabinet 100 a. As shown, each skin 106 a has two portals cut outof its center portion, i.e., display portal 102 a and handle portal 104a. Display portal 102 a is arranged so that display bracket 108 aremains visible and accessible when the skin is attached to theoutwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet drawer. Similarly, handleportal 104 a is arranged so that drawer handle 110 a and drawer lock 112a are visible and accessible when the skin is attached to the outwardlyfacing surface of a filing cabinet drawer. Furthermore, the openings ofhandle port 104 a and display portal 102 a may be sized in such a way toenable skin 106 a to be reversible so that a user may select which ofthe two planar sides of the skin to display on the outwardly facingsurface of the filing cabinet drawer.

It is understood that in other embodiments that are not shown, theopenings for handle port 104 a and/or display portal 102 a may be merelyoptional, and if present, they may be arranged in substantiallydifferent positions on skin 106 a to accommodate different arrangementsof drawer handles, drawers locks, and/or drawer display brackets on theoutwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet drawer. Also, although notshown, separate ports may be provided for locks which may be ofdifferent sizes and disposed in different positions for different typesof office furniture.

Frame 114 is arranged to accommodate the vertical arrangement of fourfiling cabinet drawers. Also, although not shown, frame 114 providessupport for an internal mechanical system that may employ one or morebrackets, bearings, wheels, and/or hinges for each drawer. The internalsystem enables a user to easily pull and push individual drawers outwardand inward from the frame in such a way that they are supportedthroughout their length of travel. Additionally, the inventive skins maybe used with virtually any vertical or lateral arrangement of filingcabinet drawers. Furthermore, one or more filing cabinet drawers mayalso be arranged to accommodate one or more different sizes of files,including, but not limited to, letter, legal, A4, and the like.

Skins 106 a may be arranged randomly or in a predetermined order on theoutwardly facing surface of the filing cabinet drawers. Skin 106 a maybe attached to the outwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet drawerwith one or more mechanisms, including, but not limited to, magnets,brackets, adhesives, mechanical hooks, clips, tape, fabric hooks andloops, snaps, screws, nails, rivets, or the like. Also, skins 106 a aretypically arranged to cover at least a portion of the vertical outwardlyfacing surface of the cabinet drawers without altering the functionalityof the drawers.

Skins 106 a may fully or partially cover the outwardly facing surface ofthe filing cabinet drawers. Also, skins 106 a may be textured, smooth,or reflective and they may be colored in one or more colors. Further,the skins may include one or more design features that are visible to auser of the drawer. For multiple drawer filing cabinets, multiple skinsmay be provided where each skin includes a portion of a design featurethat is visibly revealed in the workplace when they are attached to theoutwardly facing surfaces of the drawers in a predetermined or randomarrangement. For example, in one embodiment, the design feature may bean image of a zebra with its stripes being openings in skin 106 a thatshow the outwardly facing surface of the filing cabinet drawers beneath.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, skins 106 a may be made of oneor more materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, paper,fiberboard, composite material, ceramic, metal, magnetic film, rubber,and the like. In at least one embodiment, the outward facing side ofskin 106 a may partially or fully include a writeable surface that maybe drawn or written on. Further, in at least one embodiment, thiswriteable surface may be arranged to be rewriteable, and somewhatsimilar to those surfaces found on a chalk board, a white board, and thelike.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, skins may be attached to thesides of frame 114 which are perpendicular to the outwardly facingsurface of the filing cabinet drawers. In still another embodiment,skins may be manufactured from a rubberized material to increase thesafety of children and/or comprised adults in the vicinity of the filingcabinets. In yet another embodiment, the material of skin 106 a mayinclude an anti-bacterial agent to prevent the spread of disease amongusers of the filing cabinets. In yet still another embodiment, thematerial of skin 106 a may be manufactured from a material that preventscorrosion of the filing cabinet in corrosive environments. Moreover, inat least one embodiment, a single port may be cut out of the skin andarranged so that the display bracket, the handle, and the lock for thefiling cabinet drawer are accessible through the single port.

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a substantially planar view of laterallyarranged filing cabinet 100 b, which is somewhat similar to filingcabinet 100 a, albeit different. A plurality of skins 106 b are shownattached to the external outwardly facing surfaces of the drawers infiling cabinet 100 b. As shown, each skin 106 b has two portals cut outof its center portion, i.e., display portal 102 b and handle portal 104b. Display portal 102 b is arranged so that display bracket 108 bremains visible and accessible when the skin is attached to outwardlyfacing surface of a filing cabinet drawer. Similarly, handle portal 104b is arranged so that drawer handle 110 b and drawer lock 112 b arevisible and accessible when the skin is attached to the outwardly facingsurface of a filing cabinet drawer. Furthermore, the openings of handleport 104 b and display portal 102 b may be sized in such a way to enableskin 106 b to be reversible so that a user may select which of the twoplanar sides of the skin to display on the outwardly facing surface ofthe filing cabinet drawer.

It is understood that in other embodiments that are not shown, theopenings for handle port 104 b and/or display portal 102 b may be merelyoptional, and if present, they may be arranged in substantiallydifferent positions on skin 106 b to accommodate different arrangementsof drawer handles, drawers locks, and/or drawer display brackets on theoutwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet drawer. Also, although notshown, separate ports may be provided for locks which may be ofdifferent sizes and disposed in different positions for different typesof office furniture.

Frame 116 is arranged to accommodate the lateral arrangement of twofiling cabinet drawers. Also, although not shown, frame 116 providessupport for an internal mechanical system that may employ one or morebrackets, bearings, wheels, and/or hinges for each drawer. The internalsystem enables a user to easily pull and push individual drawers outwardand inward from the frame in such a way that they are supportedthroughout their length of travel. Additionally, the inventive skins maybe used with virtually any vertical or lateral arrangement of filingcabinet drawers. Furthermore, one or more filing cabinet drawers mayalso be arranged to accommodate one or more different sizes of files,including, but not limited to, letter, legal, A4, and the like.

Skins 106 b may be arranged randomly or in a predetermined order on theoutwardly facing surface of the filing cabinet drawers. Skin 106 b maybe attached to the outwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet drawerwith one or more attachers, including, but not limited to, magnets,brackets, adhesives, mechanical hooks, clips, tape, fabric hooks andloops, snaps, screws, nails, rivets, or the like. Also, skins 106 b aretypically arranged to cover at least a portion of the vertical outwardlyfacing surface of the cabinet drawers without altering the functionalityof the drawers.

Skins 106 b may fully or partially cover the outwardly facing surface ofthe filing cabinet drawers. Also, skins 106 b may be textured, smooth,or reflective and they may be colored in one or more colors. Further,the skins may include one or more design features that are visible to auser of the drawer. For multiple drawer filing cabinets, multiple skinsmay be provided where each skin includes a portion of a design featurethat is visibly revealed in the workplace when they are attached to theoutwardly facing surfaces of the drawers in a predetermined or randomarrangement. For example, flower top element 120 and flower stem element122 are arranged across two drawers to reveal a design for the developedlength of a flower.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, skins 106 b may be made of oneor more materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, paper,fiberboard, composite material, ceramic, metal, magnetic film, rubber,and the like. In at least one embodiment, the outward facing side ofskin 106 a may partially or fully include a writeable surface that maybe drawn or written on. Further, in at least one embodiment, thiswriteable surface may be arranged to be rewriteable, and somewhatsimilar to those surfaces found on a chalk board, a white board, and thelike.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, skins may be attached to thesides of frame 116 which are perpendicular to the outwardly facingsurface of the filing cabinet drawers. In still another embodiment,skins 106 b may be manufactured from a rubberized material to increasethe safety of children and/or comprised adults in the vicinity of thefiling cabinets. In yet another embodiment, the material of skin 106 bmay include an anti-bacterial agent to prevent the spread of diseaseamong users of the filing cabinets. In yet still another embodiment, thematerial of skin 106 b may be manufactured from a material that preventscorrosion of the filing cabinet in corrosive environments.

Illustrative Skin Attachment

FIG. 2A shows planar view of skin system 200 a, which includes sleeveframe 206 that is directly attachable to the outwardly facing surface ofa filing cabinet drawer by at least one or more of the attachersdiscussed above, including, but not limited to, magnets, brackets,adhesives, mechanical hooks, clips, tape, fabric hooks and loops, snaps,screws, nails, rivets, or the like. Blank skin 208 is disposed withinsleeve frame 206. Also, display port 202 a and handle port 204 a are cutout of the middle portion of blank skin 208 to respectively accommodatea drawer display bracket, and a drawer handle (and lock).

FIG. 2B illustrates a planar view of skin 200 b with display port 202 band handle port 204 b cut out of the middle portion of skin 200 b torespectively accommodate a drawer display bracket, and a drawer handle(and lock). Attached to the planar surface of skin 200 b is magneticfilm 210 which enables skin 200 b to be directly attached to the ferrousmetal surface of an outwardly facing filing cabinet drawer.

FIG. 2C shows a planar view of skin 200 c with display port 202 c andhandle port 204 c cut out of the middle portion of skin 200 c torespectively accommodate a drawer display bracket, and a drawer handle(and lock). Fastener ports 212 are arranged along the periphery of theplanar surface of skin 200 c to accommodate the direct attachment of theskin to the outwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet drawer. Thefasteners may include, but are not limited to, screws, nails, rivets,pegs, snaps, and the like.

FIG. 2D illustrates a planar view of skin 200 d with display port 202 dand handle port 204 d cut out of the middle portion of skin 200 d torespectively accommodate a drawer display bracket, and a drawer handle(and lock). Fasteners 214 are arranged along the periphery of the planarsurface of skin 200 d to accommodate the direct attachment of the skinto the outwardly facing surface of a filing cabinet drawer. Thefasteners may include tabs, hooks, brackets, clips, tape, fabric hooksand loops, snaps and the like.

FIG. 2E shows a side cross-sectional view of skin 2003 which furtherillustrates how display port 204 e and handle port 202 e are cut throughthe skin to provide access to a display bracket, handle, and/or lockwhen the skin is attached to an external outwardly facing surface of afiling cabinet drawer.

Illustrative Application Environment

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an environment in which theinvention may operate. However, not all of these components may berequired to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangementand type of the components may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, system 300 includes first and second mobile devices310-311, first and second client devices 315-316, server 320, andnetwork 330. System 300 enables a user to employ a software applicationto provide and arrange at least one design feature for one or more skinsfor office furniture. This software application may be provided as aclient-server service over a network, and/or a local application formobile devices and/or client devices. The software application mayenable the provided/arranged design feature to be printed on a “blank”skin with a printer that is local or remote to the user. In yet anotherembodiment, a skin is remotely manufactured with at least one designfeature provided/arranged by a user in a size/shape selected by a userand subsequently shipped to the user at a later date. Additionally, inat least one embodiment, a user may be provided with one or more toolsto create a new design feature and/or edit a provided template for oneor more skins. These creation and editing tools may be provided with thesoftware application.

Generally, first and second mobile devices 310-311 and first and secondclient devices 315-316 and server 320 may include virtually anycomputing device capable of connecting to another computing device tosend and receive information, including web requests for informationfrom a server device, and the like. First and second mobile devices310-311 and first and second client devices 315-316 may further includea client application that is configured to manage various actions, forexample, a web browser application that is configured to enable anend-user to interact with server 320 and other devices and applicationsover network 330.

Likewise, server 320 may include a server application that is configuredto manage various actions, for example, a web-server application that isconfigured to enable an end-user to interact with server 320 overnetwork 330. In one embodiment, server 320 may be configured to manageproviding and editing design features and/or templates for skins whichare manufactured remotely or printed locally by a user.

Generally, server 320 includes a processing unit, video display adapter,and a mass memory, all in communication with each other via a bus. Themass memory generally includes RAM, ROM, and one or more permanent massstorage devices, such as a hard disk drive, tape drive, optical drive,and/or floppy disk drive. The mass memory stores an operating system forcontrolling the operation of server 320. Server 320 also includesapplications, including for example, a web-server, design featureeditor, and design feature viewer, which may be expressed as one or moreexecutable instructions stored at one or more locations within RAM,although the instructions may be stored elsewhere. Server 320 may alsoinclude a database or other archive or medium for storing, retrieving,organizing, and otherwise managing advertisements, advertisingcampaigns, and elements thereof. Server 320 may include many more orless components than those discussed. The components discussed, however,are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing oneor more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows mobile devices 310, 311 that may be included in a systemimplementing the invention. As shown in the figure, mobile devices 310,311 include a processing unit (CPU) in communication with mass memoryvia a bus. Mobile devices 310, 311 may also include a power supply, oneor more transceivers, an audio interface, video interface, display,keypad, illuminator, input/output interface, haptic interface, storagemedium, and optional global positioning systems (GPS) receiver.

Mobile devices 310, 311 may optionally communicate with a base station(not shown), or directly with another computing device. The mobiledevices include transceivers for coupling to one or more networks, andis constructed for use with one or more communication protocols andtechnologies including, but not limited to, global system for mobilecommunication (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), user datagram protocol (UDP), transmissioncontrol protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), SMS, general packet radioservice (GPRS), WAP, ultra wide band (UWB), IEEE 802.16 WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), SIP/RTP, or any of avariety of other wireless communication protocols.

Mobile devices 310, 311 include a mass memory which further includes aRAM, a ROM, and other storage means. The mass memory provides storagefor information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data. The mass memory stores a basicinput/output system (“BIOS”) for controlling low-level operation ofmobile devices 310, 311 and an operating system. At least a portion ofapplications and/or other data may also be stored on a storage medium,such as a disk drive, removable storage, or the like. Mobile devices310, 311 may include many more or less components than those shown inFIG. 3. However, the components shown are sufficient to disclose anillustrative embodiment for practicing the present invention.

Generally, client devices 310, 311 are personal computers, notebookcomputers, and the like. Client devices 310, 311 typically include aprocessing unit, video display adapter, and a mass memory, all incommunication with each other via a bus. The mass memory generallyincludes RAM, ROM, and one or more permanent mass storage devices, suchas a hard disk drive, tape drive, optical drive, and/or floppy diskdrive. The mass memory stores an operating system for controlling theoperation of client devices 310, 311. The mass memory also includesapplications, including for example, a web-server, design featureeditor, and design feature viewer, which may be expressed as one or moreexecutable instructions stored at one or more locations within RAM,although the instructions may be stored elsewhere. Client devices 310,311 may also include a database or other archive or medium for storing,retrieving, organizing, and otherwise managing advertisements,advertising campaigns, and elements thereof. Client devices 310, 311 mayinclude many more or less components than those discussed. Thecomponents discussed, however, are sufficient to disclose anillustrative embodiment for practicing one or more embodiments of theinvention.

Illustrative Flowchart

FIG. 4 is a workflow diagram depicting one embodiment of a workflow. Asillustrated, the workflow shows possible steps and elements forcreating, generating, customizing and designing features for skins. Itis recognized that certain steps or elements may be omitted or added assuitable for a given implementation. Likewise, the individual steps orelements, and combinations thereof, may be accomplished either manuallyor automatically, as suitable for each given implementation or asdiscussed above.

Moving from a start block, the process steps to block 402 where at leastone design feature for a skin is provided. In one embodiment, the designfeature is provided by a user and edited with a tool for use with a skinfor office furniture. In another embodiment, the user selects the designfeature from predetermined design features provided in a template and/oras part of a service that may be accessed locally or remotely over awired or wireless network. At block 404, the user may edit the designfeatures for use with a skin for office furniture.

Flowing to block 406, the user may optionally locally produce a skinthat includes the selected and/or edited design features. In oneembodiment, the user may employ a printer to print out the designfeatures on a blank skin that may or may not include one or morepredetermined design features. Advancing to block 408, the user employsa service to remotely produce and provide the skin with at least one ofthe provided and/or edited design features. This remotely produced skinwould be subsequently shipped to the user. Next the process returns toperform other actions.

The examples provided should not be construed as narrowing theembodiments of the invention, and are intended merely to provide abetter understanding. Thus, other mechanisms may therefore be employed,without departing from the scope of the invention.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. An apparatus for decorating an external and outwardly facing surfaceof a drawer in a filing cabinet, comprising: a skin that issubstantially planar and sized to cover at least a portion of theexternal and outwardly facing surface of the drawer, wherein the skinincludes at least one decorative design feature that is visible to auser of the drawer; a port that passes through the skin for enablingaccess to at least one of a lock, a handle, and a display bracket; andan attacher for attaching the skin to the external outwardly facingsurface of the drawer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachercomprises at least one of a magnet, bracket, adhesive, mechanical hook,clip, tape, fabric hook and loop, snap, screw, nail, post, or rivet. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the design feature includes at leastone of a pattern, graphic, picture, photo, drawing, image, icon,painting, illustration, symbol, calendar, quote, holiday specific designfeature, exchangeable head-torso-feet image, advertisement, logo, ortext.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising separate ports forat least the display bracket, handle, or lock.
 5. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the port is sized so that the planar sides of the skin arereversible.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least onedecorative design feature is revealed by the attachment of a pluralityof skins to the external outwardly facing surfaces of a plurality offiling cabinet drawers.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the planarsurface of the skin is writable.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a sleeve frame that is directly attachable to the externaloutwardly facing surface of the drawer by the attacher, wherein thesleeve frame is arranged to hold the skin in a removable positionagainst the external outwardly facing surface of the drawer.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one manual tool forphysically editing at least one decorative design feature for one ormore skins, wherein the at least one manual tool includes at least oneof a pen, pencil, marker, paint, sticker, tape, hook, magnet, pictureframe, cut-out text, or pin.
 10. A method for decoratively covering anexternal outwardly facing surface of office furniture, comprising:enabling the provision of a design feature for a skin; enabling theediting of the design feature for the skin; producing the skin with theat least one design feature; and attaching the skin to the externaloutwardly facing surface of the drawer.
 11. The method of claim 10,further comprising providing a template for one or more design featuresfor the skin.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising selecting apredetermined design feature for use with the skin.
 13. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising enabling physical editing with at least onemanual tool for at least one decorative design feature for one or moreskins, wherein the at least one manual tool includes at least one of apen, pencil, marker, paint, sticker, tape, hook, magnet, picture frame,cut-out text, or pin.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the skin isproduced at least one of remotely and shipped to the user, or locallywith a printer.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the office furnitureincludes at least one of a filing cabinet, bank cabinet, storagecabinet, or bookcase.
 16. A system for providing a decorative skin foroffice furniture, comprising: a network; a server; and a client thatperforms actions, including: enabling the provision of a design featurefor a skin; enabling the editing of the design feature for the skin;enabling the production of the skin with the at least one designfeature; and enabling the attachment of the skin to an externaloutwardly facing surface of the office furniture.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the client is operative with a mobile device thatcommunicates with the server over a wireless network.
 18. The system ofclaim 16, further comprising a printer for producing the skin with thedesign feature locally.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the clientis operative with a computing device that communicates with the serverover a wired network.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the officefurniture is at least one of a filing cabinet, bank cabinet, storagecabinet, or bookcase.